Author: gaby

Inspiration Board: Santa Fe Love Letter

by gaby

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to a few places in my time, and I hope I’ll be able to add many more to that list before my time’s up. For most of them, I try to take everything in because I accept I probably won’t be back again, but there are some places that I love so much that I have to have a second helping. Santa Fe was one of those. A few years back I spent a week there for work, and fell head over heels for the desert – for the adobe architecture, the artists’ haven vibe and OMG the margaritas! It’s one of those places I wish I could have a chance to live in, just for a year or two, and it’s definitely on my return visit list. So when I decided to do a travel-themed board for today, Santa Fe just seemed like an obvious choice for me. I’ve gone for soft, muted desert colours, and of course, succulents (will the love affair never end?). I love the chilli ristra necklace and the papel picado garlands and I LOVE the idea of a bride wearing bold South Western turquoise and silver jewellery. And how pretty is the bouquet? But I think my favourite detail is the farolitos – paper bag lanterns that are a Santa Fe feature during the Christmas season and look amazing in bulk lining roofs, doorways and pathways or making beautiful patterns on the ground. Sigh. Somebody send me a plane ticket! ;)

Colours: Muted teal, green, turquoise, and sienna

Top row (l-r): Cacti; silver ristra necklace; bridesmaid’s dress (TripleCord Photography); papel picado garlands; succulent bouquet (Michelle Warren Photography)
Row 2: Succulent; adobe entrance; Georgia O’ Keefe painting; table setting (w. scott chester photography)
Row 3: Succulent hair decoration (Stephanie Williams); invitation; adobe with farolitos; turquoise bracelet (Twin Lens).

Real Wedding at Schoone Oordt {Julie & Matthew}

by gaby

In some ways, I think this might be one of my favourite weeks on the blog so far – I just love everything I’ve featured so much! And the hits just keep on coming with Julie and Matthew’s picnic-style wedding. How much are we loving picnic weddings right now? (Clue: A LOT.) And this one takes it to a whole new level, with the most personal and sweet favour I’ve seen yet – each guest at the country nuptials at Schoone Oordt in Swellendam received their own quilt, handmade by the bride’s mother! Wow. Now there’s something I’d like to find in my picnic basket! In fact, when you see the champagne-flowing-friends-laughing-kicked-off-shoes kinda vibe, you’re going to wish you were on the guest list too. The superb Jules Morgan has perfectly captured all the joy of the moment in her dreamy, sunkissed pictures, and the looks on Julie and Matthew’s faces during the ceremony really say it all.Read More

Real Wedding at Tintswalo Atlantic {Mehtap & Paul}

by gaby

Guess where I’d like to be right now? Yep, right there on that terrace, sitting at that table, looking out at that incredible view. It’s no secret I think the Cape is just about heaven on earth, but some days even I’m blown away. And I can’t think of a more wonderful and romantic place to begin your life together. The spot in question is the verandah of the luxurious Tintswalo Atlantic, which looks out over Hout Bay and where in season you can spot whales and dolphins frolicking in the waves. It’s one of the Cape’s best kept secrets, and I am desperate to stay there now! It would also make an amazing place for a honeymoon. The other thing I love about Mehtap and Paul’s wedding, which was flawlessly coordinated by the Aleit team and photographed by the ever-awesome Zarazoo, is that it was so small – just them and three lucky guests. A lot of couples who get married in the Cape are looking for something intimate, and this shows just how to do it. A wonderful location, amazing style (how much am I loving the combination of those coral roses with the rustic Atlantic blues?), and great cuisine – with a view to die for. This is destination weddings at their very best.Read More

Inspiration Board {From the Movies}: The English Patient

by gaby

Happy Monday, everyone! I thought it was high time for another film-inspired board, and I’ve picked one of my favourites. I have to admit, the first time I saw The English Patient I thought it was rubbish – I had so many unanswered questions and Kristin Scott Thomas’ character really irritated me. Then I read the novel (which I totally recommend) and saw the film again, and this time I fell in love with it. Not just with the story and characters, but with the pre-war North African setting. There’s an incredible romance to the desert, and although I’ve travelled to both Egypt and Tunisia I still want to go back one day and spend more time in the Sahara. That’s what I was trying to evoke with this board – a bit vintage, a bit exotic, a tiny bit adventurous. I think it could make for a sophisticated and romantic wedding, with fabulous Middle Eastern design details – a more refined take on the Arabian Nights party theme. Moroccan Warehouse (+27 (0)21 4618318) is a great place to find this sort of thing in Cape Town, so check it out if this appeals to you.

Colours: Maroon, chocolate and sand

Top row (l-r): Flowers (Belathée Photography); Moroccan lamp; carpet; Alexander Wong Freja bootie via Magnolia Rouge; Amanda Wakely Desert wedding dress
Row 2: Maroq light garland; vintage map; thimble necklace; cave swimmer painting from The English Patient; fruit (Kate Triano)
Row 3: Scene from The English Patient; invitation; scene from The English Patient; dress (Kate Webber).

Real Wedding at Montagu Guano Cave Guest Farm {Carla & Bennie}

by gaby

There are days when writing this blog feels a little like wish fulfilment. Ask and it shall be given unto you, kind of thing. Because it was just a few weeks ago that I was all “I am dying to see someone with a giant chess set” and now here today are the lovely Bennie and Carla and their giant chess set (amongst other awesome lawn games). I don’t know why, but that makes me ridiculously excited. (Come on. It’s a giant chess set!) And that isn’t all! Because I have also been on about how much I love Great Gatsby and the 1920s, and you guys, that is the whole theme of Bennie and Carla’s wedding. Eek! What can I say, you stylish brides and grooms make mama very happy. :) And that STILL isn’t all. Because not only did this couple have the most gorgeous, gorgeous flapper party ever with their friends (who were all fun enough to dress up), but the lovely was captured by Nastassja Harvey, who you may remember from this amazing wedding (yeah, I know you do, because it’s our most viewed wedding EVER). Nastassja is a total superstar in the making, and I am thrilled to have her on Cap Classique again. SO. Get your glad rags on and crank up the gramophone, because trust me, it’s time for a happy dance!Read More

How to Wear a Birdcage Veil

by gaby

How to Wear a Birdcage Veil

Tulle Birdcage Veil with Lace by January Rose Boutique

It only takes a quick look at my webstats to know that brides love birdcage veils! But did you know that there’s more than one kind? Or maybe you’re wondering how to style one with long hair down, or with a chic updo? We’ve rounded up some of the best birdcage veils from Etsy, and added top tips for how to rock ’em!

*Links in bold denote affiliate links. The cost to you remains the same, but SBB may receive a commission for any sales made.

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Real Wedding at Oewerzicht {Sally & Neels}

by gaby

I’m a relatively easy woman to please. At the end of the day, just give me a prawn Caesar salad and a glass of good chenin and I’m happy. On my birthday, I like anything at all that comes in a little blue box ;). And when it comes to weddings, a little bit of French country style and I’m in heaven. Today’s wedding has just the right amount of pink, pastelly goodness, but what I love most is that it shows you don’t need a crazy budget and tons of décor to pull this off, just a soft colour scheme, unifying elements like wire, ribbon and hanging bottles (oh, the hanging bottles! – be still my weddin’ lovin’ heart), great flowers and of course a DIY-tastic bride and groom with friends and family to help them. Sally and Neels were married at Oewerzicht near Greyton, and Judy Stofberg of Just Judy Photography was there to capture it all. Sit back and enjoy the pretty!

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Real Wedding at MolenVliet {Nelle & DeWet}

by gaby

Morning, lovelies! We’ve had quite a lot of rustic chic and country vintage weddings on the blog recently and, much as I love them, I thought it was time for something with a bit more glitz and old school elegance. Today’s couple also had a vintage inspiration, but in this case it was the glamour of art deco, and they chose the winelands splendour of MolenVliet for their venue. I’ve been dying to feature a MolenVliet wedding, as when I was in Cape Town in December everyone in the industry was raving about how lovely it is, and Nelle & De Wet’s wedding certainly doesn’t disappoint. Details I love: the pretty (mismatched) bridesmaids’ bouquets (a great idea if you choose to have your girls wearing the same colour), the subtle pops of turquoise blue against chocolate brown, the fun groomsmen’s socks and goodness me, that cake! There are lots of black and white pics in today’s selection, but it just seems appropriate for such a classically romantic wedding. And wow, the pictures. I’m always so happy to feature Monica Dart‘s work, because her images have so much life to them. It’s actually a challenge editing the selection! I think these might even be my favourite so far. I also loved how Monica captured Nelle and De Wet at a rural petrol station – so fun! It’s always great when couples can spice it up a bit in their creative shoot. Anyway, I could go on and on, but you want to see the pictures, right? Right. ENJOY!Read More

Real Farm Wedding in Swellendam {Estelle & Pieter}

by gaby

Today’s wedding isn’t as brand new as most of the weddings featured on Cap Classique – you may even have seen it featured before. But from the day I first saw it on superstar photographer Christine Meintjes‘ blog in October 2009, I’ve been completely and hopelessly besotted with it, and I have been dying to feature every wonderful, inspiring detail. Fortunately, Christine and the Aleit team were only too happy to share, and Estelle and Pieter sent me the sweet story that started it all. Everything about this wedding is beautiful, but everything is also heartfelt, and I know that once you’ve seen it, it’ll stay in your memory forever too. Estelle talks about getting married in Nature’s church, and that’s exactly what this is – a farm wedding in the very best sense of the word, where the grand natural beauty of the surroundings combines with the joy of two people in love to create something that is just spectacular. Of course, the attention to detail doesn’t hurt either – I just LOVE ideas like the ‘washing line’ table plan, pitchers of chilli water, fynbos (including mushrooms!) and laser-cut wooden name tags. And don’t get me started on Estelle’s gorgeous dress (and funky shoes!), or on the heart-melting way her dog walked her down the aisle. Let’s just say it’s one of my favouritest weddings ever, and leave it at that.Read More

Inspiration Board: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

by gaby

Herbs make such a lovely wedding accent. Just the thought of all those wonderful garden scents puts me in a good mood, and I love the idea of including them in your bouquet or table arrangements. Plus, herbs have the best meanings; sage, for example, is associated with respect and fidelity, and rosemary with loyalty and rememberance. I love the idea of wrapping them up with napkins or having potted herbs as favours, but I also just adore this couple’s idea of having various herbslaid out for guests to use as confetti (with linen bags this would also make a great favour). I think a key motif works beautifully with herbs, because of the secret garden associations, as do greenhouse-style windows for seating plans or whatever else you choose to write on them. I also love the hammered vintage spoons, which you could use as pretty table name markers instead of numbers.

Colours: A range of greens, browns and white

Top row (l-r): Bride (Jose Villa); dried sage (MaryJane Photography); stationery (Elisabeth Millay); windows (Public Image Photography)
Row 2: Dried rosemary (MaryJane Photography); flower girls (Elisabeth Millay/Jonathan Young); herbs in wooden box (Public Image Photography); green shoes (K. Holly Photography); keys (39 East Photography)
Row 3: Couple (Andrea K Photo); spoons (Hammermann); pie (Michèle M. Waite); table setting (Shoot Lifestyle); bride and groom (Lauren Ross Photography).